Claw hammer



May 22, 1934. a. MOSES CLAW HAMMER Filed Feb. 18, 1933 Patented May 22, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in hammers and has particular relation to a nail extractor associated with and forming part of the ordinary hammer construction and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a device of this kind automatic means for forcing the wedging of a nail to be extracted between the conventional claws of a nail extractor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which will be simple in construction and of low manufacturing cost, yet rugged and convenient in operation and use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a hammer embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view, partially broken away to show details of construction,

Figure 3 is an end view of the device as shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a view similar to that in Figure 2 showing the hammer in operative engagement with a nail,

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing a modification of my device and Figure 6 is an end view of a hammer embodying the modification shown in Figure 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I have shown therein a hammer having a head 10, a handle 11 and curved claws 12.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, as disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the inner or adjoining faces of the claws 12 are shown as having fiat converging surfaces forming a wedgeshaped opening 13 therebetween and provided with nail engaging edges 14, a groove 15 adjacent the edge 14 and paralleling the same and a series of grooves 16 extending preferably at angles from the groove 15 and away from the apex of the wedge shaped opening 13 and preferably at a degree angle to a tangent drawn to the point of contact of each groove 16 with the arcuate shaped groove 15.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 a simpler form of the invention is disclosed, and which is similar to that described above except that the groove 15 and nail engaging edge 14 are dispensed with and the grooves 16 extend through the whole inner surfaces of the claws 12. V

The operation of the device is as follows: The head of a nail to be extracted is first grasped by the edges 14 and pulled in the usual manner, a slight pull being sufiicient usually to bring the head of the nail into a position where it may be regrasped with the head of the nail this time being in the arcuate groove 15, where ordinarily it may be entirely extracted from the wood or material with which it may be in engagement. Where, however, the nail is provided with a long shank, in order to prevent injury to the nail and also to the wood or other material in which the nail may be embedded, the grooves 16 are provided, whereby when the shank of the nail is regrasped, the grooves 16, being at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the point of contact of the claws with the wood or other material, will cause a movement of the shank in a direction toward the apex of the wedge shaped opening 13, thus causing a secure grip upon such shank and preventing any slipping of the nail and the resultant wear caused by the friction of the nail sliding through the claws as is ordinarily the case with claw hammers not embodying my invention.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, the operation is the same as outlined above, except that no arcuate groove nor gripping edge are provided, the grooves 16 extending entirely across the inner faces of the claws.

Though I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, but any change or changes may be made in the structure or arrangement within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A nail extractor consisting of a pair of armate claws forming a wedge shaped opening therebetween and having a bearing surface and inner faces having grooves being substantially at angles of forty-five degrees to tangents drawn to the bearing surface of the claws and extending from such tangents in a direction opposite to that of the apex of the wedge shaped opening.

2. A nail extractor consisting of a pair of arcuate claws forming a wedge shaped opening therebetween and having a bearing surface, nail gripping edges and inner faces having grooves parallel to the edges and a series of angular grooves communicating with the first mentioned grooves and extending substantially at forty-five degree angles to tangents drawn to the first mentioned grooves and extending from such tangents in a direction opposite to that of the apex of the wedge shaped opening.

GEORGE MOSES. 

